Age Is Nothing More Than a Number

Following is an excerpt from Spiritual Jam Session: A Weekly Devotional for Classic Rock Fans:

Before this week is over, it will officially be the start of another winter. Ugh. That means at least three months of cold and snow in many parts of the country. Even many people who enjoy the change of seasons feel that’s a bit too long. They’re already starting to dream about spring.

But for now we have to deal with Old Man Winter. And speaking of old folks, there’s a certain sadness that often accompanies one’s thoughts about the past. We recall how unburdened we once were, when our biggest challenge in life was choosing which movie to see, which album to buy, or which person to ask out on a date.

There’s a lot of “what if?” thinking when contemplating our youth, wondering how our lives would have turned out if we’d made different decisions. We remember how we looked back then, how much more we were physically capable of doing, and how certain we were that our dreams would come true.

Not surprisingly, the Bible takes a different approach to aging and old age. In fact, a long life is revealed to be a reward for faithful service. Here are a few verses expressing that thought:        

Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (NIV)

I Kings 3:14: “And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (NIV)

Psalm 91:16: “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (NIV)

Proverbs 10:27: “The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.” (NIV)

Proverbs 16:31: “Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the way of righteousness.” (HCSB)

Isaiah 46:4a: “I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray.” (HCSB)

Old age is associated with wisdom in Scripture. “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding” (Job 12:12)? (NIV) And we’re told God continues to provide strength no matter how old we get. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26). (NIV)

We’re also given instruction on how to live out our later years. “Older men are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine (Titus 2:2-3a). (HCSB)

And we’re taught to esteem older folks. “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly” (Leviticus 19:32a). (NIV) And, “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity” (I Timothy 5:1-2). (NIV)

What are the keys to having healthy and productive twilight years? Physically, it’s remaining in the best possible shape. Mentally, it’s staying sharp through reading and challenging your mind. Socially, it’s keeping in touch with family and friends on a regular basis.

And, most important, spiritually, it’s staying the course when it comes to your relationship with God. That way you can make sure where you’re headed once this ride called life eventually ends.